Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of acceptance, humility, and non-attachment in understanding life and demonstrating true virtue.
Laozi's quote reflects the philosophy of Taoism, which advocates for harmony with the natural flow of life. It encourages individuals to step back from their obsessive desires and ego-driven thoughts, promoting a state of being that values nurturing and guiding others without the constraints of ownership or control, which leads to a deeper understanding of existence and true virtue.
In practice
In a meditation class, to encourage mindfulness and acceptance of the present moment.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.
To live life is to make a succession of errors. Understanding this can bring us great ease and forgiveness for ourselves and others.
Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it's a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands.
Think not that humility is weakness; it shall supply the marrow of strength to thy bones. Stoop and conquer; bow thyself and become invincible.
I never knew an early-rising, hard-working, prudent man, careful of his earnings and strictly honest, who complained of hard luck. A good character, good habits and iron industry are impregnable to the assaults of all ill-luck that fools ever dreamed.
In meditation we can watch the itch instead of scratching it.
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